Are we serious here?

Published 11:15 am, Monday, June 3, 2013

To the Editor:

Are we serious here? Do we really believe that this measure will help improve the immigration issue, the quality of life of Connecticut citizens, or make our roads or lives safer?

According to Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), "Most undocumented immigrants would like to operate vehicles within the law." Really? Why on earth should we believe that most undocumented immigrants want to operate vehicles within the law when they don't want to exist in this country within our laws?

This law will require illegals pay for the license and pay for insurance, albeit the state minimum that isn't worth the paper it's printed on for coverage. But if you're an illegal, I can't imagine that the first thought in your mind in the event of an accident is whether or not you have a valid license or insurance. Your first thought is more likely: how do I avoid the flashing lights that may turn me over to Immigration officials. Some see it as a revenue grab by the state, but how long until our legislators find a way to reduce or eliminate the costs for low-income illegals who can't afford the fees. It would only be fair, right?

This law requires proof they have lived in CT for 90 days. Open the flood gates and your welcoming arms to an influx of new 90-day residents from nearby states. But who really cares if they prove they have lived here for 90 days or if they "prove" who they really are in the first place. Many immigrants have so many multi-name aliases on papers from a distant land that trying to ensure the legality of the documents for undocumented aliens is likely to be a burden met with underwhelming State efficiency. Think government workers with rubber stamps more interested in bringing illegals "out of the shadows" than enforcing our laws or protecting our citizens.

We often hear that these are people hiding in the shadows and that is exactly where they will return once they have received their driver's license. Once they have traded in their cloak of invisibility for a driver's license, they will need to regain their stealth status once again because, regardless of their ability to drive down Dannel Malloy's street, they are still here illegally. Also, is there any real penalty with regard to illegals using a driver's license with an inaccurate address? This is a far bigger issue than your average citizen failing to update their address. And no, it's not the same thing. We have the right as citizens to fall off the grid if we so choose.

Please don't misinterpret my agenda here, I am willing to accept 100 percent pure, unadulterated amnesty for any and all undocumented immigrants who are already here... As long as the federal government is willing to ensure the integrity of our borders in the future so that we don't continue to repeat the same immigration mistakes over and over and over again.

Unfortunately, the State of Connecticut is moving further along the path of becoming a Sanctuary state, operating with complete disregard for the immigration laws of this nation, and it needs to end. This is not good for the state, it is not good for its citizens, and it is not good for the immigration policy of this country when individual states implement policies such as this.